National News

Police search peer's Lords' office

Police have searched the House of Lords office of Labour peer Lord Greville Janner in connection with historic child sex abuse allegations.

Leicestershire Police confirmed its officers searched part of the House of Lords in March and said the former MP had not been arrested.

A spokeswoman said the search was carried out in line with Lords' procedures and monitored by senior officials.

She said: "Leicestershire Police can confirm that in March 2014 its officers carried out a search of part of the House of Lords in connection with an ongoing inquiry into non-recent child sexual abuse.

"A search warrant was obtained in advance from a Crown Court judge and the search was conducted in accordance with established House of Lords' procedures, and monitored by senior officials from the House of Lords.

"No arrests or charges have been made, and inquiries continue."

The search follows a raid of the peer's home in Barnet, north London last year.

Lord Janner was an MP for 27 years, first for Leicester North West and then Leicester West, until he retired in 1997. He was made a life peer that year.

The father of three is a former president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, and has been active in efforts to get compensation for Holocaust victims.

On his website, he says he speaks nine languages and is a member of the Magic Circle and the International Brotherhood of Magicians.